‘Deal’ may not be good news for all

Let's Make A Deal" could be the best thing to happen to the Tropicana since, oh, a new operator came onboard in July to helm a $125 million face-lift.

Even without knowing how visible a profile the Tropicana will have in the game show that debuts Oct. 5, it has to be considered a big "get." One factor that weighed in the hotel's favor was a ready and waiting pavilion space, recently vacated by the Titanic and "Bodies" exhibits, complete with ticket booths and a long hallway where people can line up.

But the revived CBS game show, with Wayne Brady taking over the Monty Hall role, can't be good news for afternoon shows on the Strip. You know, the ones that don't let people in for free and give away cool stuff behind Curtain No. 3. One has to be especially curious about the live version of "The Price Is Right" at Bally's, which is produced by the same parent company, Fremantle Media, and charges a $50 ticket.

Tropicana magician Dirk Arthur might be worried about "Deal" tapings at 4:30 p.m. going against his 4:10 p.m. show. Likewise, impressionist Rich Natole on days "Deal" tapes at 1:30 p.m. One thing in Arthur's favor is that "Deal" will limit its studio audience to those 18 and older.

Ticketing specifics are still being worked out for "Deal," but the first batch of tapings Sept. 15-17 will field a new audience of about 300 for each episode. You can try to get tickets by calling the hotel (888-706-8767) or visit cbs.com and click on the show title.

Tropicana spokeswoman Brittany Markarian says the casino is not allowed to sell tickets, but is able to offer room packages that guarantee access to a specific taping. The CBS process will guarantee admission but so far, at least, is confusing about how far in advance the ticketing process will commit to a specific date and time. ...

Holly Madison has proved a good fit for "Peepshow." She will stick around another full year in the Planet Hollywood production that originally planned to have new stars every three months.

The co-starring role will change Sept. 21 with the arrival of Aubrey O'Day, replacing Shoshana Bean. ...

You'll be hearing about more activity from the Monte Carlo as the property raises its profile in time for the opening of next-door CityCenter. Last weekend relaunched the brew pub, now simply known as The Pub, with Zowie Bowie as featured house band on weekends.

Zowie singer Chris Phillips says he and partner Marley Taylor pursued a Monte Carlo deal for more than a year. The 18,000-square-foot pub is at the nexus to CityCenter and in a heavy-traffic area near a tram station.

Sunday launches the duo's weekly "Vintage Vegas Show" with an 18-piece big band in the Lance Burton Theatre. Always the lounge act, Phillips says the $30 ticket is the first time since he went pro in 1984 that he has sold "anything that resembles a ticket" versus a club's cover charge.

The couple plan to pay homage to their heroes, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. But Phillips says there will be no prerehearsed banter or choreography. "It's kind of a night about cufflinks and cocktails."

The Lance Burton Theatre will see more use and diversity. Now that the summer family season is over, Burton is on a two-week vacation. When the magician returns Sept. 22, he will scale down to a five-show weekly schedule. Impressionist Frank Caliendo moves in as a roommate Oct. 12, with four shows per week in a 9:30 p.m. slot.

Comedian Paul Rodriguez plays the theater today through Saturday, and D.L. Hughley has shows Wednesday through Sept. 19. ...

The lull after Labor Day has other acts taking a vacation, including that other magician named Burton, Nathan. But a cruise ship booking that will keep Earl Turner out of "Voices" for two weeks raised some questions of whether he would return to the Las Vegas Hilton at all.

Producer Angelo Giordano assures he will, but acknowledges the need to figure out a better plan to let both Turner and co-star Lani Misalucha take time off when lucrative engagements come up. One might be a "guest star" policy, with actress Sally Kellerman among the names that have been discussed.

Giordano might look to the Excalibur, where producer Adam Steck says there is no problem with giving comedian Louie Anderson a flexible schedule to play comedy festivals or tribal casinos. His latest vacation gives comedian Jon Lovitz -- best remembered as the liar guy on "Saturday Night Live" -- a shot at the room from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1.

Lovitz is a little blue compared to Anderson, so the minimum age will be 18. The shows will be at 7 p.m., but remember, the kids are back in school. ...

A vacation stop in Memphis this summer led to Beale Street and the question, "Wonder why B.B. King's Blues Club hasn't made it to Vegas with all the other franchises?" After all, the namesake blues legend will always be a part of Memphis lore, but King moved to Las Vegas in the mid-'70s.

Now comes the announcement that the restaurant and live music venue is coming to The Mirage in November.

But in terms of how much King's will compete with the House of Blues -- also an MGM Mirage corporate tenant -- this branch will be more like Memphis, less like New York. The latter has a lot of name concert attractions, with recent bookings including Johnny Winter, Robin Trower and Chuck Berry. It also branches beyond blues to be an occasional haven for metal bands.

The Las Vegas plan is more for house bands, such as the B.B. King All-Stars in Memphis. Most will have free admission. Like Memphis, The Mirage outlet will be an all-in-one experience, rather than separating the restaurant from the music hall.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.